I am given to understand, that the men in authority in the neighbouring Portuguese settlement of Macao, who have the gambling monopoly there, are endeavouring to obtain a similar privilege here. They offer a very large sum, as Mr. Labouchere and Lord Stanley have both, when at the head of the Colonial Office, declined to sanction the monopoly in question, I was precluded from acting otherwise than as reported above.
As, however, the licence of vice for the purpose of revenue has been to a certain extent recognized here by Her Majesty's Government in the case of Opium and Brothels, I avail myself of this petition to quietly bring the subject of the gambling monopoly under your notice, as it has been recently discussed, gambling being another vice that is likely to be the subject of discussion.
I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, Sir, Your most Obedient Humble Servant,
Shutonnas